Coffee or Red Bull - Which is Better for You?

Lack of energy and strength procrastinates as you slowly open your eyes. It is common for fatigue to cause physical and mental problems, especially when adjusting to new time schedules as the night slowly conquers daylight in the winter season. More darkness reduces the amount of melatonin in our pineal glands, therefore allowing us to feel less active and interfering with our sleep-wake cycle. This fatigue causes weariness and with less energy, we find ourselves relying on products such as coffee or other energy drinks, like Red Bull. The question is, which one of these is better for you?

To answer this question, we need to detail what these beverages are comprised of. First, coffee is basically water mixed with fermented coffee beans, preferably roasted. Coffee is typically known for its caffeine, and provides the consumer with an energizing effect to combat fatigue. Heavy consumption can lead to temporary high blood level; however, no studies have proved it to result in hypertension. On the other hand, studies show that consumers who average at least a cup a day have a significantly less chance of developing type 2 diabetes, cancer, and Parkinson's disease. None of this documentation is actually proven, only suggested by statistics. Regardless, it has long been very popular in aiding consumers with extra energy, focus, and taste.

In the red corner, we have Red Bull. Taurine, glucuronolactone, caffeine, sucrose, glucose.....Apparently, Red Bull benefits include "vitalizing the body and the mind." And it does exactly that! On many occasions I have stopped into my nearest corner store to purchase a Red Bull in hopes of awakening me from my somber state. Once again, high doses of these ingredients can cause multiple health problems. Sources say that too much taurine can affect the heart, or an over-consumption of niacin can flush the skin and create an itching sensation. However, this product continues to sell due to the fact that no actual proof concludes the question on whether or not it is bad for your health.

So which do you prefer? Documentation on the advantages of coffee definitely labels it as the healthier of the two. Some opinions may agree that Red Bull has a more satisfying taste, especially to younger generations. Yet still, the natural ingredients of coffee far surpass those of Red Bull. Coffee has been around for centuries and has yet proven to be anything other than helpful. I will end this battle in favor of coffee. It maintains the same positive affects, without risk of the negative. And let's face it; all natural products are what's popular these days.